To begin to understand the maxim, "the many are called and the few chosen," the Esotericist believes that we first need to realize that each and every human being has a spiritual nature, that is, each has a soul.

One's soul is tirelessly engaged in an attempt to develop their own conscious spiritual environment through the directed involvement and development of their reflection, that is, their incarnated personality.

We believe that as each personality progresses along their evolutionary path through repeated physical incarnations, they become increasingly aware of subtle mental impressions. This is the impression upon the mind by the soul.

Depending upon the myriad of conditions within the life of each personality, they may or may not be consciously aware of these impressions.

The ones that they consciously become aware of, they may not take any action about, thinking them just fancy or illusion. Even the ones that they do become aware of, to some degree and give some conscious thought to, they may dismiss as something that they neither desire to do nor have the time or inclination to become involved with.

Simply put, we believe if the impressed thought does not harmonize with their existing lifestyle then there is little chance that the impressed thought will find response and be developed; and the soul would then need to wait for their personality conditions to change, before the spiritual mission can again be attempted; or wait for a more favorably conditioned incarnation.

When the impressed thought does find response and one which the personality strongly acquiesces to, then the necessary life changes required to carry out the mission of the impressed thought will be made. It has to be.

This type of action we see in people who have a mission in life and the personal drive to bring a mission to completion.

These impressions are not always consciously recorded. They can simply be subtly felt impressions that the personality is sensitive to and is inclined to follow. A feeling, as it were, a strong sense of a responsibility that is in need of accomplishment.

The more highly evolved find it easier to respond, either consciously or unconsciously. Some of the personalities that do so respond are the forerunners of human evolution on this planet: the great leaders and thinkers of the past, and the future.

But not all impressed and successful tasks are world-shaking. Many are simply small acts of love, kindness or simple acts of service to humanity.

Additionally, we believe there is a need to realize that there is a spiritual hierarchy that, working under the auspices of the Bodhisattva, the Christ, guides the evolution of this planet and the kingdoms thereon. The souls of all humans on their spiritual level of consciousness work in harmony with this spiritual hierarchy and are therefore conscious of the great planetary plan for humanity which this hierarchy is pledged to implement.

We are told that this hierarchy, in harmony with the souls of humanity, is constantly searching for personalities that can assist them in the working out of the plan, the Plan of God.

When they, in their spiritual wisdom, deem a particular accomplishment necessary for the furthering of the Plan, personalities are sought that are capable of carrying out the required work on the physical plane.

The personalities that are deemed capable of successfully carrying out the needed work are contacted via their souls as described above. When the most qualified personality or personalities do not respond to the spiritual impress, then less qualified personalities are then sought, for the work must proceed. The hierarchy is constrained to use those who respond.

Thus our maxim, "The many are called and the few chosen," takes on a unique meaning.

"The many are called" are those personalities that are deemed by the hierarchy as being capable of executing the needed accomplishment(s) and are so impressed. The members of this group that "are called" and consciously or unconsciously accept the challenge of the spiritual task are then "the few chosen."

Those who do not respond are either not ready to accept the impressed responsibility or are too busy with worldly pursuits and do not become one of "the few chosen," even though they are deemed capable.

So in Esotericism, it is important to listen carefully and to choose responsibly.